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see_sadie_read's review against another edition
3.0
The legend of Aincor was referenced more than once in Elfhunter and it was really interesting getting to read his story. I also really appreciated the little bit of history provided. I would almost suggest readers start here with The Fire King for just that reason.
I'm not a huge fan of novellas. They're just glorified short stories as far as I'm concerned. I know that might be a little condescending considering I complained about Elfhunter being too long, but there is just so little time for character development and I felt it here. The narration is almost entirely in the fashion of a storyteller. I.E. the reader is told what happens, what is felt, what is said and very little is experienced first hand. This did enable Marks to relay a lot of information in a short word count, but there is a reason such narrative styles are largely reserved for spoken tales. I knew, because I had been informed, that the king was prideful, etc but I had no sense of him as a man.
Be that as it may, it's a fun little read and worth picking up. I enjoyed Aincor's story. If you like the type of legends one might hear told around the campfire this is the book for you. It was really quite predictable. Between the tidbits given in the previous book and the basic set up of the plot it isn't hard to figure out what will happen. But I've found that sometimes knowing where a story is going lets you feel a little closer to it.
I'm not a huge fan of novellas. They're just glorified short stories as far as I'm concerned. I know that might be a little condescending considering I complained about Elfhunter being too long, but there is just so little time for character development and I felt it here. The narration is almost entirely in the fashion of a storyteller. I.E. the reader is told what happens, what is felt, what is said and very little is experienced first hand. This did enable Marks to relay a lot of information in a short word count, but there is a reason such narrative styles are largely reserved for spoken tales. I knew, because I had been informed, that the king was prideful, etc but I had no sense of him as a man.
Be that as it may, it's a fun little read and worth picking up. I enjoyed Aincor's story. If you like the type of legends one might hear told around the campfire this is the book for you. It was really quite predictable. Between the tidbits given in the previous book and the basic set up of the plot it isn't hard to figure out what will happen. But I've found that sometimes knowing where a story is going lets you feel a little closer to it.
jljaina's review against another edition
4.0
This was nicely written. A great welcome to a new fantasy world!
The characters were very unique and individualistic. I wish I could have got a bit more of Faelani especially. Being this is a short novella, I cannot say too much about the story itself. What I can say is there are a vast array of characters, creatures, and more. Alterra is a very detailed word, shown briefly to us. I want to read more from these lands.
While part of me loved the details here, part of me also said it was too much for a novella. Too much info, too many places, people, etc for so few words.At times, it is overwhelming. Yet C.S Marks is kind to us, giving us a glossary at the end to help us know what is what.
Overall, a very enjoyable fantasy that is a great intro into a whole new realm! I look forward to reading more by C.S. Marks!
The characters were very unique and individualistic. I wish I could have got a bit more of Faelani especially. Being this is a short novella, I cannot say too much about the story itself. What I can say is there are a vast array of characters, creatures, and more. Alterra is a very detailed word, shown briefly to us. I want to read more from these lands.
While part of me loved the details here, part of me also said it was too much for a novella. Too much info, too many places, people, etc for so few words.At times, it is overwhelming. Yet C.S Marks is kind to us, giving us a glossary at the end to help us know what is what.
Overall, a very enjoyable fantasy that is a great intro into a whole new realm! I look forward to reading more by C.S. Marks!
lhawk1's review
3.0
2.5? I honestly don't know. This book was a whole other level of weird (with a heaping dash of awkward whenever romance was involved)... But 2.5 stars for sheer insane creativity!
see_sadie_read's review
3.0
The legend of Aincor was referenced more than once in Elfhunter and it was really interesting getting to read his story. I also really appreciated the little bit of history provided. I would almost suggest readers start here with The Fire King for just that reason.
I'm not a huge fan of novellas. They're just glorified short stories as far as I'm concerned. I know that might be a little condescending considering I complained about Elfhunter being too long, but there is just so little time for character development and I felt it here. The narration is almost entirely in the fashion of a storyteller. I.E. the reader is told what happens, what is felt, what is said and very little is experienced first hand. This did enable Marks to relay a lot of information in a short word count, but there is a reason such narrative styles are largely reserved for spoken tales. I knew, because I had been informed, that the king was prideful, etc but I had no sense of him as a man.
Be that as it may, it's a fun little read and worth picking up. I enjoyed Aincor's story. If you like the type of legends one might hear told around the campfire this is the book for you. It was really quite predictable. Between the tidbits given in the previous book and the basic set up of the plot it isn't hard to figure out what will happen. But I've found that sometimes knowing where a story is going lets you feel a little closer to it.
I'm not a huge fan of novellas. They're just glorified short stories as far as I'm concerned. I know that might be a little condescending considering I complained about Elfhunter being too long, but there is just so little time for character development and I felt it here. The narration is almost entirely in the fashion of a storyteller. I.E. the reader is told what happens, what is felt, what is said and very little is experienced first hand. This did enable Marks to relay a lot of information in a short word count, but there is a reason such narrative styles are largely reserved for spoken tales. I knew, because I had been informed, that the king was prideful, etc but I had no sense of him as a man.
Be that as it may, it's a fun little read and worth picking up. I enjoyed Aincor's story. If you like the type of legends one might hear told around the campfire this is the book for you. It was really quite predictable. Between the tidbits given in the previous book and the basic set up of the plot it isn't hard to figure out what will happen. But I've found that sometimes knowing where a story is going lets you feel a little closer to it.
leeashden's review
4.0
An excellent story about the dangers of hubris, and also a lesson about the bias of history, be it real or fantasy. I was very intrigued by the character of Faelani, and would love to see her story, but I realise that this was not that.
Excellent work from an excellent author!!
Excellent work from an excellent author!!
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